Vacuum street-cleaner.



P. A. BPIYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER.

APPLiCATlON FILED NOV. 22, 1911.

1,1 5 1 556 Patented Aug". 31, -'1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET l.

INVEA' TOR Patrick A? (Mg/ 5 WITNESSES P. A. BAYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER. APPLICATION FILIED NOV. 22, 1911. 1,151,856., Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR P. A. BAYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 22, 1911.

1 151 85180 PatentedAug. 31,1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3.

127 WWW P. A. BAYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. I91 1. 1,151,856. Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVENTOR P. A. BAYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.22, 1911- 1 151 56 iatentediAug. 31, 1915.

I s SHEET. sssssss s.

WITNESSES [NVENTOR MW P4151 46/5 I 24. 564M666 P. A. BAYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. 191i.

1N VEN T 01? Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET '6.

lll

v urf'ffflflllfflllli P. A. BAYLESS.

VACUUM STREET CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. 1911.

5 1 OJ ,11 7 T 1 H 3 w 21. u T A n d w e 8 b n 6 lu & P

.0 M Q3 6 5 1 w 1 %Q\ WITNESSES .INVENTOR Painicit. A. fig zess 2 an A Patented Aug. 31, 11915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

INVENTOR s rencr; nnn'nsnn .35-

cr Ann-area, a con.

VILCTEUIE GLEZELK T ail 261 80772 it may cancera:

Be it known that T. Parnrorr A. Barnnss. citizen of the Jnited States, residing at Oklahoma city. in county of @hlahema and State of @lrlahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Vacuum Street-Cleaners. which the fellowing is a specificaticn, reference being had therein to the accompanying dravrmg.

This invention relates to vacuum street cleaners and has for its object the produc tion of an efificient street cleaning machine wherein the dirt and other foreign matter may be drawn into the same, and the air readily discharged therethrough after having the foreign substance separated from said discharged air.

Another object of this invention is the production of eficient means whereby the brushes may accommodate themselves to the uneven surface of the ground over which the machine travels.

Of course, it will be obvious that other advantages will-appear in the specification and claims, and further that the machine may be modified in its mechanical details without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the dust receptacle in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the suction casing. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section of the lower end of the suction easing. Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the vanes. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the brush supporting bar.- Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the brushes. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of one of the brushes. Fig. 9 is a transverse section of one of the brushes. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the aprons. Fig. 11 is a transverse section'through one of the vanes. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section through the supporting bar of the brushes. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of the telescoping spacing bar carried by the aprons. Fig. 14: is a fragmentary sectional view showing the connecting means for the apron sections. Fig. 15 is a rear view of a series of aprons carried by the suction frame. Fig. 16 is a pe spective viewef one of the fa tached to the bettcni of the aprons. l? is perspec ive view or" one or" Serial 13o. 351,768.

s. 18 is an enlarged detail of the hoisting In chanism for the'vacuum cham- 19 is a central transverse section the vacuum chamber with the fanrnech -nisrn emoved. Fig. 2G is a detail perspe ve ci e front or" the vacuum chamber partly section. spective of one end oi? the upper chain shield channel. Fig. 22 is a detail perspective-of one end or the lower chain shield channel.

considering the drawings, it will be seen that l designates the body of the vehicle which is supported in the usual manner upon wheels 2. The body of the vehicle may be formed of the usual construction of an automobile having the engine 3 placed in the front-of the body of the vehicle. The main drive shaft rCfiIFlGS a drive gear 5 which meshes with the gear 6, coiperating with the transmission gear placed within the casing 7. The gear 6 also. meshes with the drive gear 8 which gear cooperates with the raising mechanism for the vacuum casing. The main shaft 4- extends rearwardly for operating the fan propelling means. The vehicle body 1 carries a suction casing 9 intermediate its ends into which is slidably mounted an adjustable section 10. The suction casing as well as the adjustable section 10 extends the entire width of the machine so as to produce a wide cleaning surface. The slidable section 10' of the suction casing is provided upon one end thereof with a section 11,

case themachine should come too near the curb. These rollers 12 are carried by the ears 13 formed upon the section 11.

The lower end of the adjustable section 10 tapers as is illustrated in Fig. lfor forming a comparatively narrow suction opening along the lower edge of the suction casing. This tapered end of the adjustable section comprises a curved, transversely extending strip 14:, which is rigidly connected to the machine, and a plurality of hinged aprons 15. An auxiliary bar 16 is carried'by the lower end of the transversely extending 418251 08? 14 and also extends transversely of the machine. of ena'tudinelly unending a i Fig. 21 is a detail perp head portion 19 fitting in the sockets 17 carried by the plate or member 16. The primary section 20 is slidably mounted within said auxiliary section 18, and has its trans-o versely extending head 21 positioned within the socket 15 carried bythe aprons 15. Both the sockets 17 and 22 are provided with longitudinally extending slots 24 having pockets 25 formed centrally thereof for allowing the upward and downward movement of said spacing bar relative to said sockets. A plurality of these aprons 15 are employed and these aprons are hingedly connected to the lower end of the adjustable section 10. These aprons are each sup ported in place by divergent braces 26,.the lower ends of which braces are supported by means of wheels 27. Brackets 28 depend from the lower edge of the adjustable section 10, and a bolt 29 passes through the lower end of each of these brackets 28, and has its forward end connected to one of the braces 26. A spring 31 is interposed between this brace andbracket for holding the aprons 15 in their correct position. It should be understood that each of the aprons is provided with these braces 26 and the wheels 27 for allowing the same to have individual movement. The inward movement of the aprons 15 is prevented by means of a strap 32 which is connected both to the apron and to the side of the adjustable section 10. The downward movement of the adjustable section 10 relative to the suction casing 9 is limited by means of a covering 33 which is connected both to the casing 9 and the adjustable section 10 as shown in Fig. 4. A thickened fabric web 34 is carried by the lower end of each apron 15. and is held in its vertical position by means of the spring 35 which will allow said fabric strip to yield provided the same should comein contact with any obstacles. The lower end of the adjustable section 10 is provided with a plurality of transverse supporting bars 36 from which depend brackets 37. The lower ends of these brackets 37 carry blocks 38. These blocks 38 are provided upon their adjacent faces with tongues 39 which engage the brush 0 crating frame 40. The front edge of the rush operating frame travels in the block 38 similar to-the one carried by the brackets 37 and this block engaging the front portion of the brush operating member is braced by means of the bracket 41. o

The brush operating frame 40 is provided with a plurality of alined apertures 42 in which a 'ertures work the bodies43 of the brush. 3

boss bodies 43 are loosely mounted reduced end 50 of the brush operating frame and engages at its opposite end a reduced portion 51 of the auxiliary brush frame 52 of the brush operating frame 40. The frame 48 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 53 in which travel pins 54 carried by the respective reduced portions 50 and 51. These pins 54 limit the movement of said reduced portions 50' and 51 within the frame 48 and the spring 49 will normally hold these reduced portions in their extreme position. The outer end of the auxiliary brush frame 52 of the brush supporting frame engages the hinge section 11 of the adjilstable section 10, and normally holds this hinge section 11 in its upwardly extending'position so that the same may be compressed when engaging a curb. The rod or shaft 47 extends vertically of the machine and carries a plurality of sprocket Wheels 55. A shaft 56 is carried at the opposite end of the suction frame 9 and extends vertically thereof,

as to allow the same to easily pass around the sprocket wheels. Therefore, it will be obvious that a continuous or endless chain of vriies or fan blades has been produced whereby a very powerful suction will be formed While said vanes are traveling.

Each of the vanes 59 comprises a scoop shaped body 60 which is corrugated longitudlnally as at 61 whereby the same will be greatly reinforced. The loweredge of each vane 60 is provided with a transversely reinforcing cleat 62 which carries centrally thereof a lug 63, which lug is connected to the sprocket chain by means of a pin or other securing means 64. The forward end of the vane 60 is connected to the transversely extending portion 65 of the substantially V-shaped'v frame 66. This V- shaped frame 66 is provided with a foot 67, which. foot is connected to the sprocket chain which is placed just above the vane 60.

From the foregoing description, and by giving Fig. 5 careful-consideration, it will be obvious that since the vanes are inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the rwrsee sprocket chain considerable air pressure will be produced when said chains are operated. It will be further obvious that since the vanes are only connected to the series of chains at one point, these vanes will readily conform to the chain while passing around the driving sprocket wheels 55 and 57 The spro cket chains are arrangedin two series, to wit an upper and lower series, and each of the sprocket chains of each series is connected by vertically extending rods 68 for keeping said chains in alined position whiletraveling.

A gear 69 is carried by the main shaft 1-, and meshes with a beveled gear 70 which beveled gear is carried by a shaft 71. The shaft 71 carries atits opposite end a gear -72 which meshes with the gear 73 carried by the vertical shaft 47 for driving the chains 58.

The frame of the sweeper carries a shaft 77, which shaft carries clutch gears 76, and

these gears 76 are adapted to be operated by any suitable clutch mechanism for throwing the same to an operative or inoperative position. The gears 7 6' are mounted upon a sleeve 1165 An intermediate gear 7 5' is carried'by the shaft 7 it and is interposed between the gears 76 so as to allow the shaft 77 to be driven in different directions when engaging the respective gears 76. These gears 76 are 1 shifted by means ofan operating rod 117. The shaft 77 carries at each end a gear 82 which gears in turn mesh withv gears 83 carried by longitudinally extending shafts 84:, which shaftscarry at their inner ends beveled gears 85 for rotating the "shafts- 86. Theseshafts 86-have their lower ends positioned ina frame 87, and since'these shafts .86 are threaded it will be obvious that the lqwer section of the 'suction casing will be raised and lowered through the operation of said'shafts.

The section 10 of the suction chamber or casing is made so asto allow the same to be raised and 'lowered' so that thellower I end of said adjustable section may be brought out of engagement with the pave-I ment when it is notdesired for the machine to operate. The body 43 of'the brush is provided upon its under surface, .with a longitudinally extending groove 88 into which fitsthe truss portion 89 of the U-bolt 90. This U-bolt is provided with a pair of:

upwardly extending arms having nuts 91 for holding the same in engagement with the body 43. A bolt 92 passes through the center of the body 43 and is provided with an eye 93 through which passes the truss portion 89 of the U-bolt 90. The bristles 94 which are preferably formed of wire,

1 or other similar material, straddle the truss portion 89 of the U shaped bolt 90 and are clamped in engagement therewith by fitthe refuse between the same.

limitin ting into the substantially ii-shaped longitudinally extending slot 88. 1 By drawing the U-shaped bolt tight within the slot 88,

the bristles will take their usual position,

that is to say, the outer bristles flaring slightly outwardly as shown in Fig. 8. The

body 43 of the block is provided centrally with a depending lug 95 through which lug extends the spacing member for the apron. By having the adjustable spacing means for the apron connected to the brushes, it will be obvious that as the apron moves outwardly, these brushes will be moved upwardly within the brush operating frame.

The aprons 15 are provided upon their side edges with flanges 96. A fabric sealing member '97 is connected to the aprons 15 by means of rivets 98. This fabric sealing member is loosely positioned around the flanges 96 so as to allow independent movement of the-aprons and yet form an efiicient seal between the difierent sections.

A refuse receptacle 99 is carried by the rear of the vehicle and this receptacle is provided with a door-100 which is hinged thereto. This door is held in closed position by means of a catch 101. A plurality of transversely extending baffle plates 102 these bathe plates are arranged 1n vertical rows extending toward each other and overlapping so as to prevent the passing of These baflle platesare so spaced as to allow air to readily pass therethrough, but'the spaces being so small will, of course, prevent any refuse passing. The inner ends of the baflie'plates 102 are bent as at 103.

As previously described and as illustrated in Fig. 18 the frame 87 is supported by the'brace 36. A nut 105 is loosely mounted upon the lower end of the shaft 86 for the downward movement of the adjusta le section 10 of the vacuum chamher and to prevent the lower adjustable section 10 from being injured by being lowered too much.

Shield channels 106 are supported by the brace 34: and have angle ends 107 secured to the sides .of the adjustable section 10. Shield channels 108 are provided with depending ends 109 which are secured to the adjustable section 10 as illustrated in Fig. 18. Both the channels 106 and 108 are provided with notches 110 for allowing room for the sprocket wheels which operate the fan carrying chains. It will be obvious that the shield channels will form means for preventing the lateral swing of the chains as the vehicle passes over rough ground. A. set of channels are used for each of the upper and lower chains of each series of the fan carrying chains.

The front apron 111 is carried by. the

apron without interfering with the vertical movement of the front aprons and brushes.

By giving Figs. 2, 3 and 4: careful consideration it will be obvious that the material picked up off the street will be taken or drawn up through the center of the vacuum chamber. the vacuum mechanism is driven from the same engine as the trucks of the vehicle.

As the machine travels in a forward direction the vanes or blades 59 are caused to travel for the reason that the chains 58 are rotated through the medium of the sprocket wheels 55. These vanes 59 will, therefore, cause a suction within the suction chamber 9 and cause the debris upon the surface of the street to be drawn into the suction chamher. The force of the suction created by means of 'the blades 59 will drive the material, dust, etc., from the suction chamber into the rear of the machine which consti: tutes a reservoir for receiving the material sucked up by means of the vanes 59 through the. suction chamber. The bafile plates 102 will prevent the dust from passing out from the storage compartment or reservoir but will allow the air to be driven out from the top of the machine. These chains 58 are driven through the medium of the main drivin gear 69 cooperating with the gears .7 2 and'.73 as illustrated inFig. 3. v

The brushes carried at the bottom of the suction chamber will brush the dirt or other accumulations on the street so as to allow the dirt and dust to be acted upon by the suction from the suction chamber or casing.

- These brushes have a lateral reciprocating motion so as to allow the dirt upon the street to be more easily severed from the surface of the street. The lower end of the suction chamber may be elevated so as to be brought out of engagement with the ground or surface of the street when so desired by means of the gears 84, and 85 which cooperate with the rods 86 and frame 87, and it will, therefore, be seen that by means of this mechanism the machine maybe thrown out of an operative position, that is to say, the brushes will not be in engagement with the surface of the street. The gears 85 are driven by suitable mechanism previously described.

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle, of a suction casing carried thereby and extending trans- It will be further obvious that' menses adjustable lower section, a plurality of aprons carried by said adjustable lower section, means carried by said aprons, and cooperating with said brushes whereby said brushes will be raised when said aprons are moved backwardly, and means for laterally moving said brushes within said adjustable lower end of said suction casing.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle, of a suction casing, means for creating a suction .therein, yieldable aprons carried by the lower end of said suction casing, a brush oper-,

3. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle, a suction casing carried thereby, a brush operating frame carried by said suction casing, said brush operating frame being provided with a plurality of sockets, brushes positioned within said sockets, said brush operating frame being provided with a transversely extending frame, said frame being provided with a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, and means working in said slot for reciprocating said brush operating frame.

4. In a device of-the class described the combination with a vehicle, of a suction casing carried thereby, means for creating a suction therein, a brush operating frame carried by said suction casing, an auxiliary brush frame secured to said brush supporting frame, a hinged section carried by one side of said suction casing and engaging the outer edge .of said brush operating. frame, and rollerscarried by said hinged section for preventing said hinged section from being injured when engaging a curb.

5. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle of a suction casing, a brush operating'frame carried thereby, said frame having a reduced extension atone end, a spring carrying frame passing over said reduced extension, anauxiliary brush frame provided with a reduced por tion extending within said spring carrying frame, a spring interposed between said reduced portion of said brush operating frame and the reduced portion of said auxiliary brushframe, said spring carrying frame being provided with a plurality of slots, pins carried by said reduced ends and worln'ng in said slots, and means for reciprocating said brush operating frame. I

6. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle of a suctioncasing, said casing tapering toward its lower end for forming a narrow suction opening, a bar carried by the lower edge of said cas- 'justable lower section,

ing, a plurality of aprons hinged to the lower end of said casing, adjustable spacing means for said aprons, said aprons being each provided with an enlarged socket extending transversely thereof, said bar being provided with a plurality of sockets, said adjustable spacing means comprising an auxiliary 'T-shaped section having its transverse head positioned within one of said sockets, and a primary T-shaped portion positioned in the other of said sockets.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a vehicle, of a suction casing a plurality of hinged aprons carried thereby, said aprons being provided upon each edge with a flange, said flanges of said aprons being adapted to fit snugly against each other, and a fabric sealing member straddling said flanges for forming a substantially closed wall and sealing the juncticn of said aprons.

8. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle, of a suction casing, said suction casing being provided with an adjustable lower section, means for driving said vehicle, said adjustable lower section being provided with transversely extending bars, upwardly extending brackets carried by said bars, a vertical shaft carried by said brackets, said shaft being threaded into said frame, a gear wheel carried by said shaft, and means cotiperating with said drive mechanism of said vehicle for operating said shaft whereby said lower section of Bali suction casing may be raised and lowere 9. A device of the class described comprising a suction casing provided with an adjustable lower section, a vertical raising shaft carried by the upper portion of said suction casing, means connecting said drive mechanism and said vertical shaft for roa frame carried by said adsaidvertical shaft being provided with a threaded lower end working in said casing, a nut carried by the lower end of saidshaft for limiting the downward movement of said lower section, means for creating a suction positioned within said suction casing, and means op eratively connecting said drive mechanism with said suction creating means to operate the latter.

10. In a'self-propelled vehicle, the comtating the same,

bination with a truck, an engine carried thereby, an adjustable suction casing, means for creating a suction carried by said suction casing, and common means associated with said engine for driving said vehicle, driving said means for creating a suction and raising and lowering said adjustable suction casing.

11. A self-propelled vehicle comprising a truck, a suction casing carried thereby, a front apron carried by said suction casing, said chamber being provided with vertical slots positioned therein, means carried by said apron working in said vertical slots for allowing the vertical. adjustment of said front apron, rear aprons. hinged to said suction casing, an expansible means connected to said rear aprons and front apron for allowing slight backward movement of said rear aprons without afiecting said front apron.

12. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination with a truck, of a suction casing, a refuse receptacle, a front apron vertically adjustable upon said vacuum casing, a rear apron hinged to said suction casing, expansible means connecting said aprons, a brush interposed between said aprons, said expansible means passing through said brush for raising said front apron and swinging said rear apron backwardly when said brush is elevated.

13. In a device of the class described the combination with a vehicle, of a suction casing provided with an adjustable lower section, said suction casing extending transversely of said vehicle, driving shafts carried by said vehicle within said suction casing, fan chains carried by said vehicle, sprocket wheels carried by said verticallyextending shafts, said fan chains passing around said sprocket wheels and capable of being driven thereby, and common means associated with said fan chains and said adjustable lower section of said suction casing for driving 'said fan chains and raising and lowering said adjustable lower section of said suction casing at a desired time.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses! PATRICK A. BAYLESS.

Witnesses: a I

W. R. WALTER, J. L. DICKEY. 

